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Srivilliputhur Temple

The city was originally named on its founders, Villi and Kandan, forming the word Thiru-Villi-Puttur. “Thiru” is the Tamil
salutation and it is interchanable with its Sanskrit equivalent - “Sri”. Thus, the city can be called by both “Srivilliputtur” and
“Thiruvilliputtur”.

The primary landmark of Srivilliputtur is
12-tiered tower structure dedicated to the
Lord of Srivilliputtur, known as
Vatapatrasayee.

The tower of this temple rises 192 feet
high and is the official symbol of the
Government of Tamilnadu. It is said to have
been built by Periyaazhvar, the
father-in-law of the Lord, with a purse of
gold that he won in debates held in the
palace of Pandya King Vallabhadeva.

Another wonder in Srivilliputtur is
Chariot which runs on Adi Puram.
Srivilliputhur is well known for its ancient
heritage and devotional contributions.

The goddess Andal (an avatar of
Booma devi) took birth in this place and she
had a pure love on Lord Vishnu and wished to
marry him. Andal, of her pure devotion and
Love, wrote & sung Thiruppavai on
lord Vishnu in the winter season (Tamil
month - Margali). She got married & melted
with Lord Vishnu.

The important festivals of Srivilliputhur
are Car Festival (Ther Thiruvizha)
which happens on the birthday of SRI ANDAL -
in the months of July - August. The month of
Margali (Dec - Jan) is very special here.
Sri Andal marriage (Thiru Kalyanam) is also
celebrated with enthusiasm.

This temple gopuram is the official
symbol of Tamilnadu Government.

Ph : 04563-260254.

Arul Migu Thirumeni Nadha Swamy Temple:

This is situated on the State Highways
of Srivilliputur to Parthipanur. This temple is
ten of the Pandiya’s Thalam out of fourteen in
Tamil Nadu.

Aruppukkottai :

Aruppukkottai is a renowned weaving centre.
Both handloom and powerloom weaving are
undertaken. In the handloom sector both silk and
cotton sarees are woven. The powerloom units
weave towels, sarees, lungis, bedsheets and
bedcovers. Units for spinning yarn as well as
units for dyeing yarn have been established
here.

Arul Migu Thirumeni Nadha Swamy Temple :

It is situated on the State Highways of Srivilliputur to Parthipanur. This temple is ten
of the Pandiya’s Thalam out of fourteen in Tamil
Nadu. This temple has 9 kinds of Theerthas and 8
kinds of lingas.

Ayyanar falls :

12 Kms from Rajapalayam. It is situated
in the dense forest under the western ghats with
its natural beauty and the small waterfalls
dropping from a height of 15 feet, adds
attraction. Tourist must get prior permission
from the forest department to enter into the
forest. Ayyanar temple and Sivananda
Paramahamsar Ashram which is very popular as
a picnic centre in the forest. Elachi and Coffee
estates are located here.

Alagarkoil Valley :

The forests of Alagarkoil valley in
Srivilliputur taluk and Saduragiri are known for
rare medicinal plants. The medicinal value of
275 plants has been recorded and reported. The
forests host a rich variety of orchids and
ferns.

Bhuminathaswamy Temple :

Tiruchuli is located on the southern bank of
Gundar. The Bhuminathaswamy temple at Tiruchuli
is counted among the 14 famous Shaiva centers in
Pandya Nadu. It is located 40 Km. East from
Virudhunagar, 45 Km South from Madurai. Name of
God is Bhuminathar, Goddess is Thunaimalai
Amman. Its deity has been venerated in the hymns
sung by Shaivite Nayanar Sundaramoorthy and
Sekkilar. The temple has undergone extensive
renovations and the present complex accommodates
a number of shrines built over time within the
high boundary walls constructed during the reign
of Muthuramalinga Setupati.

Nalla Thangal

Story of Brother and Sister Affection : It is a story of
brother and sister affection. People believe it happened in 17th century. In
Virudhunagar District, near Vathirappu there was a place called Rajakottai. It
was ruled over by Nalla Thambi and his brothers. They had one sister called
Nalla Thangal. She was married to Kasi Rajan who was the ruler of Mana Madurai.
Once Famine struck Nana Madurai. It was very hard to live there. So Nalla
Thangal started for Rajakottai with her seven children. When she reached there
her brother had gone to the forest for hunting. His wife Alankari ill treated
Nalla Thangal. So she left the house and jumped into a well with her children.
When Nalla Thambi returned from the forest he knew the matter and decided to
kill Alankari and her relatives. On a fixed day he arranged for a dinner to
Alankari’s relatives. All of a sudden the dinner hall fell down. It was Nalla
Thambi’s trick. Later he also committed suicide. It shows his love for her
sister. To day people worshipped this place as temple.Location: in the village
Vathirappu is situated 18 kms north west of Srivilliputhur and 72 kms south east
of Madurai is connected by bus routes from Srivilliputhur and Madurai.

Guhanparai :

On the way to Kalugumalai from
Vembakkottai. A small hillock to the west of the
village is called Guhanparai and
the village takes on the same nomenclature.
There is a small natural cavern at the foot of
the hillock, which is believed to have
been used as a shelter by Jain monks. A 10th
century AD Vatteluttu inscription on a rock of
the hillock states that a monastery
Munnurru- varperumpalli was established in the
name of Munnurruvar kovilpillaigal.

Irukkangudi :

Located to the east of Sattur, at
the confluence of the Arjuna nadi and the
Vaippar. The Panguni Uttiram is an
important festival celebrated in the month of
Panguni for 21 days.

Kullursandai Reservoir :

The Kullursandai
reservoir on the Kowsiga mahanadi, a tributary
of the Arjuna nadi, is being developed
into a picnic spot. Boating facilities are
offered at the reservoir which also attracts
numerous water birds in the months of
August to February.

Kamaraj’s House :

The house where the great
leader Kamaraj and former Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu was born has been
converted into a memorial. The rooms are adorned
with photographs of the leader at every stage of
his life. A few of his
clothes, his watch as well as articles used by
him are displayed.

Pallimadam :

Pallimadam is situated on the
outskirts of Tiruchuli on the eastern bank of
the river Gundar. Sundara Pandya, a 10th
century AD Pandya ruler, famous for his
erudition, died while visiting Pallimadam. He
was buried there and his younger brother
Vira Pandya (AD 946-966) erected a sculptural
shrine (pallipadai) over his grave. The temple
was known as Pallippadai Sundara
Pandya Isvaramudayar koil.

Kamarajar - “King Maker”

Native of Virudhunagar, he was called ‘Perunthalaivar’ by the
people of Tamilnadu. Even his early days he joined the Congress Party and
involved himself in the war of independence. He was the disciple of Gandhiji. In
1937 he was elected for Tamilnadu Assembly, in 1952 he was elected to the
Parliament. He introduced Noon Meal Scheme in Tamilnadu and opened a number of
single teacher schools in nook and corner of Tamilnadu. When he was the Chief
Minister of Tamilnadu he drew a plan and appealed the leaders to step down from
the post and to work for the welfare of party. He took the pride of making
Lalbahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi as Prime Ministers in 1964. In 1969 when
the congress party became divided into two, he stood in the opposite line of
Indira Gandhi. Till the end of his life it struggled for the uplift of the
downtrodden. Born on 15.07.1903. Died on 2.10.1975

Parasakthi Mariamman Koil :

The Mariamman temple
in the town was constructed in 1923. The Panguni
Uttiram, celebrated in
Tamil month of Panguni for 21 days at this
temple, is the main festival of the town and its
surrounding.

Pilavakkal Dam :

The Pilavakkal dam on the river
has two sections the Periyar dam and the Kovilar
dam. The areas surrounding
the dam Site have been landscaped into beautiful
gardens. Facilities like boating are offered to
tourists. This is an ideal picnic
spot.

Sathuragiri Temple

Sivamalai is called as Sathura Giri,
Sathurachalam, Siddhar Boomi and Mooligai Malai
near srivllipurthur in Virudhu Nagar District.
There are two temples in the hill: Sri Sundara
Mahalinga Swamy Temple and Sri Santhana
Mahalinga Swamy Temple. One more sanctum of lord
Siva is also there in the top of the hill which
is called as “Periya Mahalingam”.During full
moon and new moon days devotee visit the temple.
The new moon during the moth of July, August (Aadi
Amavasai) attracts about 10 to 15 lakh
devotees.Pooja Timings: Daily poojas start by
6’O clock is the morning and finish before 18.00
hours.Location: Situated 5 kms from Watrap; 70
kms from Madurai; Bus service is available from
watrap and Srivilliputhur Ph : 9443179891 To
Contact at Chennai – Parveen Travels Ph :
044-28191000, 42146304

Sanjeevi Hills :

Sanjeevi Hills is situated in
Rajapalayam on the way to Chatrapatti. The calm
and serene ambience makes it a
favorite spot for tourists. Tradition recounts
that in order to save the unconscious Lakshmana,
Hanuman, the monkey god carried
the entire Sanjeevi Hill with the herbal plants
to Sri Lanka and threw it away afterwards. It is
said that the thrown down hill is
the Sanjeevi Hills.

Saverier Church :

The Francis - Association took
back intrust to built a grand Church in honour
of the Saint Francis. This
divine church was open to public on 03-03-2003.
The structure depicts on one side Hindu God
Srikrishna riding on chariot driven
by seven horses, the back side is in the shape
of half moon depicting the sign of Islam.

Ramana Maharishi Ashram :

Sri Ramana Maharishi was born on
30.12.1879 in Thiruchuli. His mother was Tmt
Azhagammal and father was Thiru. Sundaram Iyer.
He lived in the house of ‘Sundara Mandhiram”. He
studied in Sethupathi Primary School. An ashram
was established in 1988 on the banks of the
river Gundar to propagate his teachings.

Sivakasi:

An important industrial town. It is famous
for Lithographic and Offset Printing, Match and
Fire works industries. Next to Sivakasi
lithographic and offset printing is done only in
Bombay. In and around town, there is a group of
fireworks manufacturing units, manufacturing
crackers, sparkers, chakkrams.

Sathuragiri:

Sivanmalai is called as Chathura Giri,
Chathurachalam, Siddhar Bhoomi,Mooligai Malai (Vanam)
etc., is situated near Srivilliputhur. 100 Km
from
Tirunelveli and 70 Km from Madurai. As the name
speaks, the mountain is mentioned as “South
Kailash” (Thenkailayam), Bhoologa Kailayam as
Lord Shiva and Parvathy have promised the
Siddhars that they will stay here permanently
and visit other places only from here. There are
two
temples in the hill Sri Sundara Mahalinga Swamy
Temple and Sri Santhana Mahalinga Swamy
Temple. One more sanctum of Lord Siva is also
there in the top of the hill which is called as
“Periya Mahalingam” (Big Mahalingam). This is
worshipped by Siddhars and only those who are
destined to see it will be able to go there. The
Akasha Ganga (river) which flows from above the
Santhana Mahalingam temple, separates the two
temples in to two sides of the banks. The
distance between these two temple is hardly 15
minutes walk. Temples Timings and Festivals : At
Santhana MahalingamTemple the daily pooja starts
by 3 a.m. Sundara Mahalingam temple the daily
pooja starts by 6 a.m. At both the temples Ardha
Jama Poojas are finished before 6 p.m. On full
moon and new moon days, the time schedule
changes according to the visit of pilgrims. The
new moon during the month of July-August (Aadi
Amavasai) attracts about 10 to 15 lacs devotees
who come there to have the darshan of the Lord
Mahalingam. Contact : 9443179891.

Srivilliputhur :

Srivilliputhur 74 km from Virudhunagar.
Sri Andal is a great Vaishnavite saint and her
pasurams are popular in Tamil nadu. The temple
belongs to the 18th century A.D. testified by
the inscriptions in it. Thirumalai Naick of
Madurai and his sister have made intensive
additions to the temple. The characteristic
feature of the temple is 192 feet high tower
which has 12 store’s. The massive wooden car
which is several centuries old, has 9 huge is
wheels. Ph : 04563 260254.

Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife :

45 Kms off Virudhunagar town, the
sanctuary has a composition of dry deciduous
forests with patterns of tropical evergreen,
semi evergreen forests, moist mixed deciduous
forests and grass lands. Grizzled Giant
Squirrels are abound. Other interesting species
are flying Squirrel, Tree shrew, Elephant,
Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr,Macaque,
Nilgiri Tahr, Mouse Deer, Barking deer, and many
a species of birds. This sanctuary can be
visited all through the year.

Sattur :

Sattur is known for its fire works and match
industries. For name sake there is a dry river,
Vaippar River in Sattur.Sattur is rich in black
soil. It is good for cotton cultivation. So
small scale textile industries are famous in and
around Sattur.Transport facilities are in good
condition. The town lies in national high ways
and good railway connectivity.Sattur is the
first town gain popularity for the foundation of
Pen Nib manufacturing industries. For so long it
was the only place in India where pen nibs were
manufactured. Not only this, Sattur also has
many other small scale cottage industries like
match industry, printing press, fire works.

Shenbagathope Grizlled Squirrel Sanctuary:

96 km from Tirunelveli. 75 km from
Madurai. A wildlife sanctuary, spread over 480
sq.kms. at Shenbagathopu. Over 100 species of
birds have been identified. The sanctuary is
located 86 kms. from Madurai. The best time to
visit the sanctuary are throughout the year
except for the months of March, April and May.

Tiruchuli :

Tiruchuli is 15 km to the east of
Aruppukkottai and is considered to be a very
holy place and is the birth place of Sri Ramana
Maharishi who is considered to be the most
revered saint in the recent years. The place
also has a rich Saivite temple which is one of
the oldest ones in South India and the god in
this temple is even worshipped by most of the
popular 63 Saivites in Tamil Nadu. This place is
admired by persons who are pious, religious and
also who would love seclusion for meditation and
chants in the name of god. There is also a
Ramana ashram on the banks of the river.

Tiruthangal :

Tiruthangal is located on the road from
Virudhunagar to Sivakasi. Three Sangam age poets
- Mudakkorranar,Porkollan Vennahanar and
Athireyan Sengannanar were said to have lived at
Tiruthangal.

Vembakottai :

The Reservoir System receives water from 7
distributaries of the Vaippar. These streams
originate in the eastern
slopes of the Western ghats.

Festivals in Virudhunagar

Pongal, Adiperukku, Karthigai Deepam, Temple Car festival, Chithirai and Brahmostsavam are the chief festivals celebrated in the
district. Brahmostsavam is celebrated during the Tamil month of Adi. The temple has a massive car (Ther) with a decorated
height of 75 feet.

Mariamman and Sachi Innachiar koil festivals in Sattur taluk and VaikasiVisakham in Srivilliputur are the famous festivals of this
district.